Difference between revisions of "Characidae" - New World Encyclopedia
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| ordo = [[Characiformes]] | | ordo = [[Characiformes]] | ||
| familia = '''Characidae''' | | familia = '''Characidae''' | ||
| − | | subdivision_ranks = Subfamilies and [[ | + | | subdivision_ranks = Subfamilies, [[Genus|genera]], and species |
| + | 12 subfamilies, 170 genera, and over 885 species | ||
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| + | }} | ||
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| + | '''Characidae''' is a large and diverse family of freshwater [[subtropical]] and [[tropical]] fish, belonging to the [[Order (biology)|Order]] [[Characiformes]]. Known as '''characins''', members of this family are found in Central and South America, southern North America, and Africa, and include the [[piranha]]s, the [[tetra]]s, a blind cavefish in Mexico (populations of ''Astyanax mexicanus'' found in caves) and Brazil (''Stygichthys typhlops''), and a species found as far northward as southwestern United States (''Astyanax mexicanus''). | ||
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| + | Fish of this family are important as food and also include popular [[aquarium]] fish species.<ref name=nelson/> | ||
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| + | ecologically | ||
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| + | ==Description== | ||
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| + | The Characidae family is placed within the order Characiformes. Characiformes are characterized by well developed teeth (most are carnivores) and the presence of a pelvic fin (with five to twelve rays) and normally an adipose fin, and a body that is almost always scaled (Nelson 1994). Members of the Characiformes are typically small and often colorful, making them popular aquarium fishes (Nelson 1994). | ||
| + | |||
| + | The Characidae family is large and diverse, and is one of the only completely freshwater fish families indigenous to both Africa and South America, along with Osteoglossidae (Nelson 1994). Members range in size from just 13 millimeters in length to ''Hydrocynus goliath'' of the Congo, which reaches a length of 1.4 meters; many members are under 3 centimeters in length (Nelson 1994). | ||
| + | |||
| + | This family has undergone much taxonomic revision. Among those fishes that remain in the Characidae for the time being are the [[tetra]]s, comprising the very similar genera ''[[Hemigrammus]]'' and ''[[Hyphessobrycon]]'', as well as a few related forms. These include the [[Astyanax mexicanus|cave]] and [[Neon Tetra|neon]] tetras. The [[piranha]]s is also currently in this family. | ||
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| + | ==Distribution and habitat== | ||
| + | These fish inhabit a wide range and a variety of habitats. They originate in the [[Americas]] from southwestern [[Texas]] and [[Mexico]] through [[Central America|Central]] and [[South America]].<ref name=nelson>{{cite book | title = Fishes of the World | last = Nelson | first = Joseph, S. | publisher = John Wiley & Sons, Inc. | year = 2006 | ISBN = 0471250317}}</ref> Many fish come from rivers, but the [[blind cave tetra]] even inhabits [[cave]]s. | ||
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| + | ==Physical characteristics== | ||
| + | These fish vary in length, though many are less than 3 [[centimetre]]s (1 [[inch|in]]).<ref name=fishbase/> The smallest species grows to a maximum length of 13 [[millimetre]]s (0.5 [[inch|in]]).<ref name=fishbase>{{FishBase family | family = Characidae | year = 2007 | month = Apr}}</ref> | ||
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| + | ==Taxonomy== | ||
| + | This family has undergone a large amount of change.<ref name=nelson/> More recent revision has moved many former members of the family into their own related but distinct families - the Pencilfishes of the genus ''Nannostomus'' are a typical example, having now been moved into the [[Lebiasinidae]], the assorted predatory characins belonging to ''Hoplias'' and ''Hoplerythrinus'' have now been moved into the [[Erythrinidae]], and the Sabre-Toothed Fishes of the genus ''Hydrolycus'' have been moved into the [[Cynodontidae]]. The subfamily Alestiinae was promoted to family level ([[Alestiidae]]) and the subfamilies Crenuchinae and Characidiinae were moved to the family [[Crenuchidae]].<ref name=nelson/> Other fish families that were formerly classified as members of the Characidae, but which were moved into separate families of their own during recent taxonomic revisions (post-1994) include [[Acestrorhynchidae]], [[Anostomidae]], [[Chilodontidae (fishes)|Chilodontidae]], [[Citharinidae]], [[Ctenoluciidae]], [[Curimatidae]], [[Distichodontidae]], [[Gasteropelecidae]], [[Hemiodontidae]], [[Hepsetidae]], [[Parodontidae]], and [[Prochilodontidae]].{{Fact|date=April 2007}} | ||
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| + | The larger [[piranha]]s were originally classified as belonging to the Characidae, but various revisions place them in their own related family, the Serrasalmidae. This reassignment has yet to enjoy universal acceptance, but is gaining in popularity among taxonomists working with these fishes. Given the current state of flux of the Characidae, a number of other changes will doubtless take place, reassigning once-familiar species to other families. Indeed, the entire [[phylogenetics|phylogeny]] of the [[Ostariophysi|Ostariophysans]] (fishes possessing a [[Weberian apparatus]]) has yet to be conclusively settled, and until that phylogeny is settled, the opportunity for yet more upheavals within the taxonomy of the Characoid fishes is considerable. | ||
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| + | A large number of [[taxon|taxa]] in this family are ''[[incertae sedis]]''. The relationships of many fish in this family are poorly known.<ref name=nelson/> A comprehensive phylogenetic study for the entire family is needed.<ref name=fishbase/> The genera ''[[Hyphessobrycon]]'', ''[[Astyanax (fish)|Astyanax]]'', ''[[Hemigrammus]]'', ''[[Moenkhausia]]'', and ''[[Bryconamericus]]'' include the largest number of currently recognized species | ||
| + | among characid fishes that are in need of revision.<ref name=lucena>{{cite journal|url=http://www.ufrgs.br/ni/vol1num2/1(2)artigo03.pdf|title=New characid fish, ''Hyphessobrycon scutulatus'', from the rio Teles Pires drainage, upper rio Tapajós system (Ostariophysi: Characiformes: Characidae)|first=Carlos Alberto Santos|last=de Lucena|journal=Neotropical Ichthyology|volume=1|issue=2|pages=93-96|year=2003|format=[[PDF]]}}</ref> ''[[Astyanax (fish)|Astyanax]]'' is the largest [[genus]] in the family.<ref name=nelson/> These genera were originally proposed between 1854 and 1908 and are still more or less defined as by [[Carl H. Eigenmann]] in 1917, even though diverse species have been added to each genus since that time. The anatomical diversity within each genus, the fact that each of these generic groups at the present time cannot be well-defined, and the high number of species involved are the major reasons for the lack of phylogenetic analyses dealing with the relationships of the species within these generic "groups."<ref name=lucena/> | ||
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| subdivision = | | subdivision = | ||
Subfamily [[Agoniatinae]]<br/> | Subfamily [[Agoniatinae]]<br/> | ||
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''[[Thayeria]]''<br/> | ''[[Thayeria]]''<br/> | ||
''[[Tyttobrycon]]''<br/> | ''[[Tyttobrycon]]''<br/> | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 01:09, 16 September 2007
| Characidae
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 Bleeding heart tetra Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma
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| Scientific classification | ||||||||||
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Characidae is a large and diverse family of freshwater subtropical and tropical fish, belonging to the Order Characiformes. Known as characins, members of this family are found in Central and South America, southern North America, and Africa, and include the piranhas, the tetras, a blind cavefish in Mexico (populations of Astyanax mexicanus found in caves) and Brazil (Stygichthys typhlops), and a species found as far northward as southwestern United States (Astyanax mexicanus).
Fish of this family are important as food and also include popular aquarium fish species.[2]
ecologically
Description
The Characidae family is placed within the order Characiformes. Characiformes are characterized by well developed teeth (most are carnivores) and the presence of a pelvic fin (with five to twelve rays) and normally an adipose fin, and a body that is almost always scaled (Nelson 1994). Members of the Characiformes are typically small and often colorful, making them popular aquarium fishes (Nelson 1994).
The Characidae family is large and diverse, and is one of the only completely freshwater fish families indigenous to both Africa and South America, along with Osteoglossidae (Nelson 1994). Members range in size from just 13 millimeters in length to Hydrocynus goliath of the Congo, which reaches a length of 1.4 meters; many members are under 3 centimeters in length (Nelson 1994).
This family has undergone much taxonomic revision. Among those fishes that remain in the Characidae for the time being are the tetras, comprising the very similar genera Hemigrammus and Hyphessobrycon, as well as a few related forms. These include the cave and neon tetras. The piranhas is also currently in this family.
Distribution and habitat
These fish inhabit a wide range and a variety of habitats. They originate in the Americas from southwestern Texas and Mexico through Central and South America.[2] Many fish come from rivers, but the blind cave tetra even inhabits caves.
Physical characteristics
These fish vary in length, though many are less than 3 centimetres (1 in).[1] The smallest species grows to a maximum length of 13 millimetres (0.5 in).[1]
Taxonomy
This family has undergone a large amount of change.[2] More recent revision has moved many former members of the family into their own related but distinct families - the Pencilfishes of the genus Nannostomus are a typical example, having now been moved into the Lebiasinidae, the assorted predatory characins belonging to Hoplias and Hoplerythrinus have now been moved into the Erythrinidae, and the Sabre-Toothed Fishes of the genus Hydrolycus have been moved into the Cynodontidae. The subfamily Alestiinae was promoted to family level (Alestiidae) and the subfamilies Crenuchinae and Characidiinae were moved to the family Crenuchidae.[2] Other fish families that were formerly classified as members of the Characidae, but which were moved into separate families of their own during recent taxonomic revisions (post-1994) include Acestrorhynchidae, Anostomidae, Chilodontidae, Citharinidae, Ctenoluciidae, Curimatidae, Distichodontidae, Gasteropelecidae, Hemiodontidae, Hepsetidae, Parodontidae, and Prochilodontidae.[citation needed]
The larger piranhas were originally classified as belonging to the Characidae, but various revisions place them in their own related family, the Serrasalmidae. This reassignment has yet to enjoy universal acceptance, but is gaining in popularity among taxonomists working with these fishes. Given the current state of flux of the Characidae, a number of other changes will doubtless take place, reassigning once-familiar species to other families. Indeed, the entire phylogeny of the Ostariophysans (fishes possessing a Weberian apparatus) has yet to be conclusively settled, and until that phylogeny is settled, the opportunity for yet more upheavals within the taxonomy of the Characoid fishes is considerable.
A large number of taxa in this family are incertae sedis. The relationships of many fish in this family are poorly known.[2] A comprehensive phylogenetic study for the entire family is needed.[1] The genera Hyphessobrycon, Astyanax, Hemigrammus, Moenkhausia, and Bryconamericus include the largest number of currently recognized species among characid fishes that are in need of revision.[3] Astyanax is the largest genus in the family.[2] These genera were originally proposed between 1854 and 1908 and are still more or less defined as by Carl H. Eigenmann in 1917, even though diverse species have been added to each genus since that time. The anatomical diversity within each genus, the fact that each of these generic groups at the present time cannot be well-defined, and the high number of species involved are the major reasons for the lack of phylogenetic analyses dealing with the relationships of the species within these generic "groups."[3]
| subdivision =
Subfamily Agoniatinae
Agoniates
Subfamily Aphyocharacinae
Aphyocharax
Subfamily Bryconinae
Brycon
Chilobrycon
Henochilus
Subfamily Characinae
Acanthocharax
Acestrocephalus
Charax
Cynopotamus
Galeocharax
Gnathocharax
Heterocharax
Hoplocharax
Phenacogaster
Priocharax
Roeboides
and many more
Subfamily Cheirodontinae
Cheirodon
Compsura
Odontostilbe
Serrapinnus
Spintherobolus
and many more
Subfamily Clupeacharacinae
Clupeacharax
Subfamily Glandulocaudinae
20 genera
Subfamily Iguanodectinae
Iguanodectes
Piabucus
Subfamily Rhoadsiinae
Carlana
Rhoadsia
Parastremma
Subfamily Serrasalminae
15 genera
Subfamily Stethaprioninae
Brachychalcinus
Orthospinus
Poptella
Stethaprion
Subfamily Tetragonopterinae
Tetragonopterus
incertae sedis
(i.e., taxonomic placement at this level uncertain)
Astyanax - Astynaxes
Boehlkea
Bryconamericus
Bryconops
Ceratobranchia
Chalceus
Deuterodon
Exodon
Gymnocorymbus
Hasemania
Hemibrycon
Hemigrammus
Hyphessobrycon
Inpaichthys
Knodus
Moenkhausia
Myxiops
Nematobrycon
Oligosarcus
Paracheirodon
Petitella
Pseudochalceus
Rachoviscus
Roeboexodon
Schultzites
Thayeria
Tyttobrycon
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Characidae". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. Apr 2007 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2007.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Nelson, Joseph, S. (2006). Fishes of the World. John Wiley & Sons, Inc..
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 de Lucena, Carlos Alberto Santos (2003). New characid fish, Hyphessobrycon scutulatus, from the rio Teles Pires drainage, upper rio Tapajós system (Ostariophysi: Characiformes: Characidae). Neotropical Ichthyology 1 (2): 93-96.
- Characidae (TSN 162848). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Accessed on 02 Mar 2007.
- Géry, Jacques, Characoids of the World, ISBN 0-87666-458-3
{{credit|Characidae|156011965}]
